by Griff Hosker
Aiden and my scouts said that the survivors of the battle had headed north east. They would take shelter, I had no doubt, in the remote moors. They could wait there until the weather improved and I would hunt them down. My bigger priority was the threat from the Scots to the north. I had to rid my land of them first.
Chapter 20
The weather changed on our journey home. The hard ground became softer as the snow started to melt. Within a day of our arrival back in Stockton only the cobbled roads were passable. We had to delay our search for the warbands which were reported to the north of us. I left Tristan to rebuild Yarm. He used William the Mason. Wulfric garrisoned Thornaby and I sent Erre back to Norton. Sir Hugh and Sir Philip left for their castles. I wanted a tight ring once more. I had decided to take just my household knights and Sir Gilles with me. We would find any Scots, brigands and bandits who lurked in the forests and hidden places of my land. Perhaps they would have fled already but if not then they would feel my anger. I sent for Sir Edward's daughter, Mary and his young son, James as soon as I arrived back. Mary was almost fourteen and I hoped that she would cope with the news. James was only seven. It would be hard for him. I made sure Alice was close by. I was unused to the task.
Mary had a sad look on her face and her eyes showed that she had been crying. She had either guessed or been told already of her father's death. That did not help me. James looked confused. "Lord, where is my father? Did you appoint him another task?"
"No, James, as your sister has, I think, guessed, he fell in battle. Your father is not coming home. You are now the man of the house."
He threw his arms around his sister. She held him tightly. "There are just the two of us now, Jamie, we will have to be strong for each other."
I saw Alice's face. She was as upset as the two young ones.
"I will take you as my wards. I made your father a knight and the two of you will be brought up here as though you were my own children. Mary, there will be young nobles who seek a wife. Until that time Alice here will continue your education to be a lady. James you will be brought up a lord. That means you have a choice, will you be a knight or a priest?"
His back stiffened, "I will be a knight, lord."
I nodded. "Then we start to prepare you to be a knight. Sir Harold needs a second squire. When you become knight I will find you a manor."
"What of Thornaby lord?"
Mary had thought of their home first but I saw James' face as he took in my words. "That is now the manor of Sir Wulfric."
Mary nodded, "That is good for he and father were great friends." She looked down at James, "Father would like that."
I turned to Alice, "I leave them in your charge, Alice. I still have tasks to complete. The land is not safe yet."
"I will look after them lord, as though they were my own bairns."
Mary took my hand and kissed it, "Thank you lord. I know we seem not grateful but, after John and my mother, the news is hard to bear."
"There is no need for gratitude. I have a responsibility for Sir Edward was a friend and he was one of my knights. We do not forget our own. Alice will arrange for your quarters, your clothes and I will see my steward about an allowance and, when the time comes, a dowry for you, Mary." Edward had been rich and I would ensure that all his money was kept safe for his children. Mary's half would be the dowry and James' would go to his new manor. I felt happy with my actions. I slept easier that night.
I decided to send back Robert of Lincoln and the Countess' men. They had fought well. We gave them six spare horses and some of the treasure we had captured. They did not wish it but they had earned it. Robert bowed before mounting his horse. "If ever you need us again, lord, it would be an honour and a privilege to follow you. We have learned much."
"Keeping the Countess safe is all I need. Farewell."
They headed south.
The night before I was due to leave Sir Wulfric arrived unannounced. "Lord I beg leave to come with you."
"But Thornaby?"
"Sir Edward's men can garrison it. My men and I are keen to avenge Sir Edward."
"But it was not the Scots who killed him."
"They caused his death! Let me do this lord, I beg of you. I have not slept since we returned home. This will rid my dreams of ghosts."
"Very well."
In truth I was happy for his experience was invaluable. The horses we had captured made up for those we had lost in battle but we had not replaced the men. This time John of Craven and my Frisians would remain in Stockton, Erre would be in Norton and I would just take my depleted men at arms and Dick. The information given to Sir Edward had been that the warband was south of Durham. However we knew that they had spies who were close to our lands. They had been waiting for us to make a mistake. Our first task was to find the spies and scouts. While Aiden and his scouts headed north we spoke with William of Wulfestun who lived at Thorpe. He had been forced into a life of banditry. Since he had given it up and taken to farming he was our best eyes and ears on the Durham road.
"Have you seen any strangers who might be of danger to us, William?"
"I killed two bandits just before Christmas lord. Other than that it has been quiet."
"Sir Edward heard rumours of an enemy warband in the north."
He laughed, "Then they must have been hard men lord for the winter was cold."
I was perplexed. We continued north and Aiden met us a couple of miles from Thorpe. "Lord I have seen no signs to the north. I travelled as far as Fissebourne and there was no sign. I spoke with the farmers. They have had a peaceful winter."
"You scouted north of Norton, already, did you not?"
"We did and there were none there."
I waved my knights forward. "I do not have Sir Edward to question. Do either of you know who brought the news of this warband?"
Sir Harold and Sir John both shook their heads. "We only know it was one of his men. He had patrols riding south of the river but he must have sent one north too."
I suddenly turned. "North of the river? Then they must have crossed the ferry. We would have known. Did any of Sir Edward's men cross the river?"
John and Harold looked at each other and shook their heads. Sir Wulfric said, "I can find an answer to this." He had brought ten men at arms with him including two from Sir Edward's retinue. "Thomas and Alan, come here."
Two men at arms detached themselves from the column. "Yes lord."
"Who brought the news of a warband north of Norton?"
They looked at each other then Thomas said, "That would have been John of Eston."
"What was he doing north of the river?"
"I am not certain lord."
Alan said, "I heard that he visited his sister who married the miller at Norton."
I nodded, "That explains what he was doing north of the river but not how he discovered an enemy. Where is he now? Is he still at Thornaby?"
"We have not seen him since our lord fell at Yarm."
"He died?"
"I did not see his body lord. We buried six good men that day but he was not with them."
Alan said, "And his horse went too."
Wulfric said, "I like not this, lord. There is no evidence of any Scots. We are being moved around by someone who wishes us harm. I can see that clearly now. The attack on Yarm, the capture of Helmsley. It is all one plot."
"And intended to draw us south and north."
Aiden had been listening, "Excuse me my lord but that leaves two directions, east and west. You came from the west."
"Aye I did and the men we slew were from the same conroi as attacked Yarm. Sir Hugh saw no sign as he headed east. That leaves the east."
Wulfric's face fell. "Normanby! We have left Sir Gilles there with a handful of men."
"We still have time. Let us turn around and head there. Those knights who fled Pickering did not travel south or west. Their trail led north and east. I should have pursued them immediately! I am guessing that more of their fellows were t
o the north east."
"Guisborough!"
"I think you are right. I spied the De Brus livery and that was ever his haunt of old. We have little time to waste."
We turned and rode quickly down the Durham Road. As we went I began to unpick this plot. It had all the hallmarks of a De Brus web. It was overly complicated and devious. The man from Eston was obviously in the pay of Sir Edward. It also explained how they had known of Rafe of Barwick. Had Sir Edward not been consumed by grief for his wife he might have questioned how his man at arms had seen the warband. Whatever the reason it had pinned our forces in the valley allowing De Brus a free hand to retake three castles. If it had not been for the resilience of Wulfric then he might have succeeded. There might, indeed, be no further threat but I thought there was.
I cursed myself for not following the survivors of our battle. There were over a hundred according to Aiden but I had not worried for they had been on foot. I had wondered why they had not gone to Helmsley. Then I remembered that they would have had to pass my army. Guisborough! It had been the De Brus home until I had destroyed it. With fighting in the south no one from my small castle at Normanby would have been watching there. They could have refortified it. The change in the weather might be just the spur they needed to expand. If they could take Normanby then they would have me encircled.
It took some time to cross the river. Ethelred had still to recover his spare ferry. I sent Dick over first. He had his archers could reach Normanby quickly and allow us to arrive together. With just eighty men we would be outnumbered. Sir Gilles had a small garrison and we could not count on much help from them. I just hoped my youngest and newest knight had his wits about him.
It was mid afternoon and under grey, rain filled skies that we finally left Thornaby for the six mile ride to Normanby. We were met half way there by Alan of Grange, one of Dick's archers. "Lord, Normanby is under siege." He pointed to the rain filled skies. "Sir Richard says the rain will affect our bows. They will not have the range you need. He urges you to hurry."
I waved my arm and we began to canter. Time and the weather were not on our side.
Dick and his archers had not been able to use their bows from a great distance but they had managed to eliminate the sentries and scouts. He met us at the edge of the wood where the land rose to the wooden castle. "They have no siege machines but they have the castle surrounded. "
"Form line!" We emerged from the woods and formed a double line. "Dick be ready to pursue any who flee."
"Aye lord."
It did not take us long and the gloomy skies helped to hide us for the first hundred paces from those who surrounded the castle. They must have felt the ground vibrate beneath their feet for some turned and then a shout went up. They began to form a shield wall. We had spears and we would use them. Our charge, however would be slow. We were travelling uphill and across wet and damp ground. The rain had melted the snow and made it a quagmire.
I saw a De Brus banner. It was the banner of William De Brus. I had last seen that banner at the battle of Lincoln. I veered Copper towards it. With so few knights now my squires had to become warriors who rode in the front rank now. Richard carried my banner on my left and Gilles rode on my right. The shield wall had swords and hand weapons. We had a slight advantage for we would strike with our spears first. I lowered my shield to cover my thigh and side and I pulled back with my spear. At the last moment De Brus stepped out of the line. I punched into fresh air. Gilles struck the squire who had been to the right of De Brus and he impaled him on his spear. I pulled my arm back and thrust it into the face of the next man at arms.
De Brus' cowardice had let us inside the shield wall. I pulled back on Copper's reins and he reared. His hooves hit the shields of two men who fell to the ground with the force. His hooves landed on one of them. Blood spurted from his mouth. I stabbed down at the other. He grabbed the spear and wrenched it from my hands but it was the act of a dying man. I drew my sword and whirled. The enemy shield wall was now two knots of men. Wulfric was wreaking his own special vengeance and he galloped along the line with his axe slaying all who dared stand before him. Not many did and the enemies before him fled.
I reined in and looked around. Sir Harold and Sir John had a second band in a circle. "Gilles, Wilfred! Follow me. Richard, signal my men."
I charged towards my two knights and their men. They were holding their own. The extra weight I would bring would crush the spirits if not the bodies of the men at arms and knights. I held my sword behind me and, as we approached them, I began to swing it. I jerked Copper's head at the last minute as I brought my sword up and across the knight. It tore through his mail and into his gambeson. I saw blood and I quickly withdrew it and, as I passed, backhanded him across the neck. He crumpled to the ground.
"Quarter! Quarter!" The survivors dropped their swords.
"Those who yield shall live."
Richard shouted, "Lord, De Brus escapes!"
"Dick fetch your men. Wulfric take charge of the prisoners and relieve the castle." I looked around to make sure that Gilles and Richard had survived. Their weapons were bloodied and they had cuts to their surcoats, as I did, but they were whole! "Richard, which way?"
He pointed. "They headed to the south and east."
It would be to Guisborough. I spurred Copper. Dick and his archers soon joined me. "If this rain would stop we might do something about them, lord."
"We know where they go. We will catch them. Fear not. I am just pleased that we reached Sir Gilles in time. He had perilously few men in the castle."
I knew that it would be night before we reached Guisborough. We had destroyed the castle over a year ago. Had the enemy rebuilt it? I answered myself for of course they had. Wulfric had been preoccupied in the south and Sir Gilles was getting to know his role as lord of the manor. Inattention had cost us dear. We had no reason to visit that manor save at tax time and that lay a month or more ahead of us. Once more I rued my absence. It had cost me dear. I had lost two lords of the manor and three castles. And for what? The Empress and our son were no closer to the crown than they had been. If anything they were further away for we had lost a third of our army.
"Lord, I see them!"
Richard's sharp eyes had picked out the yellow and gold surcoats in the darkening gloom ahead of us. We were gaining. The sight of them gave us hope that we would catch them and we would end this threat. The horses at the rear of the enemy column were flagging.
As we neared them four men at arms held up their arms. "We yield!"
"Alan son of Alan, take these men prisoner."
As the ground began to rise towards the distant priory I saw the ramparts of a castle. They had rebuilt it. This time it was between the priory and the coast. As we neared it I could see that they would make it before we managed to catch them. However as I could not see any men on the walls I hoped we could stop them from defending their walls. I spurred Copper and he gave an extra spurt. They had a wooden bridge over the ditch. They managed to gallop over it and slam the gates shut but I arrived with Wilfred and my squires even as I heard the bar being dropped.
"Richard, hold Copper!"
I slipped my feet from the stirrups and stood on the wooden saddle. I reached up and grabbed the top of the wooden palisade. I began to climb. Wilfred did the same. I was about to pull myself over when a man at arms ran at me along the fighting platform with a spear. I could not let go and I could not defend myself. Dick's arrow struck him on the shoulder and threw him to the ground. I scrambled over the top and drew my sword. My shield was still hanging on the cantle of my saddle. I waited until Wilfred had joined me.
"Down the ladder and let us open the gate for the others!"
It sounded easy but spears were suddenly thrown at us as we ran along the fighting platform to the ladder. One struck me in my right arm. I pulled it out and held it in my left hand. It would have to do in lieu of a shield. Once we reached the ladder there were eight men waiting for us at the bottom. If
we turned our backs to climb down we would be butchered. I looked at Wilfred, "Have you ever thought of being a bird, Wilfred?"
"Not until this moment lord but it seems like a good idea." We both stepped back and then had a leap of faith into the air. They were not expecting that. The two of us crashed into them. Their bodies, ironically, broke our fall. Even so the wind was knocked from me and another man at arms ran at me. A spear flashed over my head and struck him squarely in the chest. I saw Gilles and he was on the fighting platform. I quickly stood and stabbed at one man with my sword while I impaled a second with my spear. Wilfred rose unsteadily. His left arm hung from his side. He slashed his sword as he stamped on the neck of a man at arms lying at our feet. Gilles leapt into the fray and with the three of us wielding weapons we despatched the last two men.
Ignoring the blood coming from my right arm I helped Wilfred to his feet, "You are hurt Wilfred. Come Gilles, let us get the gate open."
We had been left alone as the rest of the men had fled into the wooden keep which was on a mound fifty paces from us. Already arrows were being loosed at us. Wilfred sheathed his sword and grabbed a shield to protect both him and us.
Gilles and I unbarred the gate and opened it. Dick and my men poured in. "To the keep."
We ran towards the keep. The arrows they sent our way were woefully short. The rain had dampened their strings. Dick and his archers, in contrast, had fresh strings they had kept dry. Dick said, "Halt here, lord. They are going nowhere. Archers, string your bows." He turned to me. "We can release ten arrows before the strings become too wet. That will give you time to break into the keep lord!"
"Good man. Raymond of Le Mans, axes!"